1This science should we learn also, namely, to let the world boast of their great riches, honour, power, &c. For it is loose, uncertain and transitory ware, which God casteth into the dungeon. It is a small matter for him to give an ungracious person ⟨image 18⟩(that blasphemeth and dishonoureth him again for his reward) a kingdom, a dukedom, or any other worship, and good upon earth. These worldly goods are his draff and swillings, wherewith he filleth the hogs bellies, that he is disposed to kill. But unto his children (as David speaketh here thereof) he giveth the right treasure. Therefore should we as the dear children and heirs of God, neither boast our selves of our wisdom, strength nor riches: but of this, that we have the precious pearl: even that worthy word, whereby we know God our loving father and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent.2 This is our treasure & inheritance, which is sure and everlasting, and better then all the good of the world. Who so hath this, let him suffer other men to gather money together, to live voluptuously, to be proud, and high minded. But though he himself be despised and poor in the sight of the world, yet let not that tempt him, but let him thank God for his unoutspeakeable gift; & pray that he may abide thereby. It maketh no matter how rich & glorious we be here upon earth. If we keep this treasure, we have plenty of riches & honour. Saint Paul was a man of little reputation, and poor ⟨image 18⟩upon earth, having the devil & the world very fierce against him: But in the sight of God he was a man right dear & greatly set by. Besides this he was so poor, that he was fain to get his living with the labour of his hands. And yet for all the great poverty, he was richer then the emperor of Rome: having nevertheless none other riches, but the knowledge of Christ. For the which (sayeth he Phil. 3.) I count all things (nothing upon earth except,) very loss and dung.
1Thys science shulde we learne also, namelye, to let the worlde boast of theyr great ryches, honoure, power, &c. For it is lowse, vncertayne and transytory ware, whiche God casteth into the doūgeon. It is a small matter for hym to geue an vngracious persone ⟨image 18⟩(that blasphemeth and dyshonoureth hym agayne for hys rewarde) a kyngdome, a dukedome, or ony other worshyppe, and good vpon earth. These worldlye goodes are hys draff and swillynges, wherwyth he fylleth the hogges bellyes, that he is disposed to kyll. But vnto hys chyldren (as Dauid speaketh here therof) he geueth the ryght treasure. Therfore shulde we as the deare chyldren and heyres of God, nother boaste oure selues of oure wysdome, strength nor ryches: but of thys, that we haue the precious pearle: euen yt worthy worde, whereby we knowe God oure louynge father and Iesus Christ whome he hath sent.2 Thys is oure treasure & inheritaunce, whiche is sure and euerlastynge, and better then al ye good of the worlde. Who so hath thys, let hym suffre other men to gather mony together, to lyue voluptuously, to be proude, and hye mynded. But though he hymselfe be despysed and poore in the sighte of the worlde, yet let not that tempte hym, but let hym thanke God for hys vnoutspeakeable gyfte; & pray that he maye abyde thereby. It maketh no matter how rych & glorious we be here vpō earth. Yf we kepe thys treasure, we haue plentye of ryches & honoure. Saynt Paule was a man of lytle reputacion, and poore ⟨image 18⟩vpō earth, hauynge the deuell & the worlde very fearce agaynst hym: But in the syghte of God he was a man ryght deare & greatly set by. Besydes this he was so poore, that he was fayne to get his liuyng wyth the labour of hys handes. And yet for all ye greate pouertye, he was rycher then the emperour of Rome: hauynge neuerthelesse none other ryches, but the knowlege of Christe. For the which (sayeth he Phil. 3.) I counte all thynges (nothynge vpon earthe excepte,) very losse and dounge.
- 1What we ought here to learn.What we ought here to learne.
- 2The word of God is our treasure.The word of God is oure treasure.
